09 December 2012

Sexy Santa Nails :D

Hi friends! Man, I cannot believe how quickly December is flying by. Christmas will be here before we know it! So much more shopping and baking to do... And of course, so many more holiday manis! Here's an idea that's certainly not terribly original--I've seen variations of it by many ladies, most recently Robin Moses (a total genius, by the way, she is a true artist in every sense of the word, canvas or otherwise!)--but I wanted to give it a try myself. So without further ado... my sexy Santa nails!

If the sleigh's a rockin', don't come a knockin'?

This look was fairly easy to create, and it was my first attempt at using acrylic paint in a nail design. Can't even tell, can ya? I started with a coat of OPI You Callin' Me A Lyre?, which is a very sheer pink. My natural nails aren't too stained--I am very diligent about using good basecoats--but I wanted to make them just a little pinker for this design instead of starting bare. I stamped the fishnets from everyone's favourite Konad plate, m57, with Sally Hansen Silver Sweep.

Next, I used a small paint brush and some red acrylic paint from Garden Ridge (just their store brand, pretty basic) to add the chevron french tips. It was easier to control and get crisp lines this way than by using the brush that comes with nail polish bottles. I gotta do this more--but red nail polish would work just fine too. The white dots are Ulta Snow White and were added with a dotting tool. (In real life, that red line doesn't show through nearly as much--weird lighting with the flash, I guess!) Last, of course, sealed it all in with Seche Vite. I used two coats to help the acrylic paint stay on longer--it would wash right off without a good layer of topcoat.

Posing with le Santa hat :D I like my nails this length--hopefully I can keep them this way for a while without any incidents! *touches wood*

Hi! Please share your thoughts below. I love seeing what others have to say, and I read every single comment! Relevant links (such as recreations or similar manis) are welcome; however, spam or advertising will be deleted.

What you lookin' at?

Hello, I'm Amanda! Welcome to my blog. I love art and painting, and nail colour/design has always been a passion of mine! I'm not a professional, just an enthusiastic hobbyist. By trade, I'm a full-time nerd-for-hire ("the IT guy", if you will). I also spend a lot of time playing Xbox, dancing, and drinking beer. Those things are all fun, but doing them with fabulous blingy nails makes it even better! xoxo